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For the first time, collected in one book, the photography of Ethan Russell, multi-Grammy nominated photographer and director, and the only person to shoot album covers for all three of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. Available with miscellaneous perks in two formats: Regular Book and Book with Clamshell plus "The Inside Edition." See perks.
Executive Summary:
A 244 page fine art monograph, featuring Ethan Russell's photography, including his work with many musical legends including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who published for the first time in one beautifully printed volume. Preface by Ethan Russell. Introduction by Shannon Perich Photographic Curator for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and Preface by Neal Preston, Photographer.
The Project: History Lived
As I've engaged in building this campaign, the reality of what it signifies has grown. This is something we do, something we build together. There's something special about that, and I commit to trying to keeping the communications open as we progress.
This is my legacy project. I am a late in life father with a 15-year-old son, and in many ways this is for him. It is my first and only fine art monograph.
The pace and order of the book is an expression of what my life experience has been as seen through my photographs. It is a journey through ordinary and extraordinary moments that is specific to my life, but in truth, it’s one of exploration, surprise, love, and even some history, that many of us witnessed and know its uniqueness. These things I want to share with you and connect through them to find a bit of shared experience for those who were there and to open that up for those who were not able to be there. The Introduction by Shannon Perich, Photographic Curator for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History speaks eloquently to this.
My goal is to raise sufficient funds to print 500 books, and to offer rewards and incentives to support that goal. This campaign is only committed to printing 500 books, something I've done to keep the initial funding request down.
Supporters of this campaign should note my insistence on top quality reproduction, even if that keeps the production costs up. It is important to focus on the distinctiveness of this book. It is a "fine art monograph" as opposed to simply a book, and that means (to me at least) that the quality of the reproduction plays an essential role. It will be top tier. The book weighs over 5.5 lbs (the Deluxe Edition weighs 8 lbs). The monograph's dimensions are 14 x 10.25 inches (28 inches wide when open) and it will be 244 pages. Because I am sensitive to supporters about the costs, please know the $95 price (at level 2) for just the book and a card is based just on the cost of printing and estimated shipping.
I hope this commitment to quality brings satisfaction to the people who have always liked my work – to be able to see it finally presented simply and beautifully printed.
I have worked hard to have the rewards and incentives seem appropriate for the level of donation. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.
About the Journey
I was an accidental photographer. I was lucky. Of all my creative work it has been my photography which has brought the most joy to the most people. While I have labored intensively on books where the story was the focus, I never really let my photographic work simply stand on its own. Now, paging through the prototype of the book, I find I am touched by the photographs gathered together without distraction, flowing page after page with simply a caption (although sometimes a lengthy one) as if the photographs were finally allowed to speak for themselves.
This project has been iterating for many years. With the support and feedback of professional colleagues and kind friends, the layout of the book, the design and the essays have come together to bring us to the final stages of printing and publication. I hope you will participate in making this book a reality.
It is with these goals that I enter into this Kickstarter project.
BACKGROUND
I began my photographic career without formal training. Asked to explain how I had any capacity to work as a photographer at all, I recalled a mental image of myself when I was around 11 standing in an orchard at my parents' ranch. I was a hunter - mostly for blue jays – using a small, 22-caliber single-shot rifle. It was a solitary experience. I would wait quietly in the heat. There were only, maybe, ten trees, and they didn’t bear much fruit. But I would hide as best as I could, not moving a muscle, until a blue jay showed up. Then advancing slowly so I would not scare the bird, I would bring the gun to my shoulder, sight it, and carefully squeeze the trigger. Years later I identified this set of skills — an ability to scan a scene, to remain barely visible, to move quickly, focus, and then press a release steadily— as core skills for the kind of photographer I became, and at which I earned my living for years, a job I was never trained to do.
I got on a plane in 1967 from San Francisco to London in the height of British invasion fully expecting that when I emerged it would be into a mecca of music that would dwarf what was happening in San Francisco. This is not what I found. It was there, but it was barely visible in day to day London. But with "more luck than any human being should be allowed to have" (The Daily Beast) I was introduced to Mick Jagger, then John Lennon, then The Rolling Stones and then The Beatles. I took it from there.
Ethan Russell Photographs The Beatles, The Rolling Stones & The Who
Spreads from the book: The Who, The Beatles & The Rolling Stones
When I think today about how my work might bring value, I believe this is the most significant: I didn’t change what was in front of the camera, and what was in front of the camera was monumental. I photographed what was true. I was in extraordinary places, and I shot photographs that let people just be there. The moment is not about the photographer, the moment is about what you share.
I believe that my intuition about the music and the artists, for whom I felt enormous respect and admiration, comes through. There is also an intimacy in much of the work that results from my invisibility, which grew from the considerable time I spent with them and the trust that came from that. My photographs reveal, in a phrase I sometimes use, real moments with extraordinary people. Those are what I would like to share with you.
BOOK SPECS
There will be two versions of the book the Regular Edition (expected price: $95) and the Deluxe Limited Edition (expected price: $450.) All copies given to backers of this Kickstarter project will be from the First Edition printing of the book, which I will oversee.
Note: there will be an additional publication starting at level 4: a separately bound (and shipped) approximately 45 page book "The Inside Story." This will provide even more background on the images in the book, where they were taken, the circumstances, technical information (camera, lens, film, lighting rig, etc.) This is not expected to be available with the commercial version of the book.
Please also note: Those interested should take advantage of this Special First Printing of the Deluxe Edition because it’s likely that after the Kickstarter campaign is over the Deluxe Edition of the book may not be available, or, if available, may be more expensive.
NEW PERK
Just added as a thank-you to all who have already pledged and for all who pledge going forward at any level that includes a book (Regular or Deluxe) a signed and personalized printed triptych of me shooting The Beatles, The Rolling Stones & The Who, That is a calling card of my work as a photographer and it occurred to me that it would be nice for those helping make this campaign happen to have a personal thank-you. See below.
Personalized and signed thank-you. With The Beatles, The Stones & The Who
THE REGULAR EDITION
The Regular Edition - Jacket cover
THE DELUXE LIMITED EDITION
DELUXE EDITION WITH TWO SIGNED PRINTS AND CLAMSHELL
PERKS
THE INSIDE STORY
"The Inside Story" (not final design)
"The Inside Story," is a separately bound (and shipped) estimated 45 page book, which will give even more background about the images in the book, where they were taken, the circumstances, technical information (camera, lens, film, lighting rig, etc.)
DELUXE EDITION 8x10 print choices
Five signed, archival individually printed choices below from which to select one (or two, depending on level) for inclusion with DELUXE EDITION and Clamshell.
Keith Richards "Exits the Starship 1972" (8x10 choice)
Keith Richards "Patience Please 1972" (8x10 choice)
Linda Ronstadt "Hasten Down the Wind" (8x10 choice)
John Lennon London 1968 (8x10 choice)
8x10 Janis Joplin Royal Albert Hall 1969 (8x10 choice)
The Rolling Stones Onstage 1969 (8x10 choice)
The prints above and all signed archival prints in this campaign, regardless of size, are museum quality. They are the exact quality as those sold from my website, the galleries that carry my work or the museums that collect my work. The limited edition prints will be numbered taken from my official editions. They are substantially reduced in price in the context of this campaign, which is why each image offered is listed separately, and the number available for sale is limited.
$1100 or more. 16x20 LIMITED EDITION, SIGNED, LIMITED EDITION ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT Choose from one of the two below. (Reward limit 15 of each).
The Rolling Stones "How Long Will They Last, 1969" Limit 9 (16x20 choice)
The Who In Rehearsal 1973 (16x20 choice)
$1200 or more. 16x20 LIMITED EDITION, SIGNED, ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT "MICK JAGGER 'LIPS' 1972. Limit 1.
Level 10: $1,400 or more. 16x20 LIMITED EDITION, SIGNED, ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT "WHO'S NEXT, ENGLAND 1971." Limit 4.
$1600 or more. 16x20 LIMITED EDITION, SIGNED, ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT "JOHN LENNON LISTENING TO THE WHITE ALBUM LONDON 1968" Limit 1
John Lennon Listening to the White Album 1968. Signed, limited edition, digital archival print. Limit 1
$1,675 or more 16X20 LIMITED EDITION, SIGNED, ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT of "KEITH RICHARDS WITH JACK AND COORS 1972" (Limit 3)
"Keith Richards with Jack and Coors 1972" (16x20 choice) Limit 2
Level 13B: $4,000 or more. 24X35 SIGNED LIMITED EDITION ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT. CHOOSE FROM ONE OF THE FIVE BELOW. IN ADDITION, A SIGNED 8X10 PRINT OF YOUR CHOOSING FROM ANYTHING OFFERED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. (Limit 5. It could be all one print or various but if 5 24x35 prints are taken then the reward is fulfilled).
Note: 24x35 is a European size that I think bears calling out. I love it because when framed with a reasonable matte it is a wonderful display size, not so big that it overtakes everything, but big enough to really be impressive.
Mick Jagger and Chuck Berry 1969 (24x35 choice)
Keith Richards with Jack and Coors 1972 (24x35 choice).
24x35 Signed, Limited Edition, Digital Archival Print, Keith Richards "Purple" 1969 (24x35 choice)
Keith Richards "Purple" was chosen as one of the few actual prints on display in the Rolling Stones "Exhibitionism" (I was told.) Most of the images in the display were digital. It was in the "Fashion" section.
24x35 Signed, limited edition archival print. "The Rolling Stones On Stage 1972." (24x35 choice)
24x35 Jerry Lee Lewis "Spotlight" 1975 (24x35 choice)
"We have scoured hundreds of images of Jerry Lee and think that yours is by far the most riveting and gorgeous and unique...I can’t get over this photo--it is sort of haunting and cool and odd, like a David Lynch movie...It is one of the snazziest, hottest, most beguiling music portraits ever.” OXFORD AMERICAN MAGAZINE
Linda Ronstadt "Hasten Down the Wind" Malibu 1975 (24x35 choice)
ARTISTS, PLACES & EVENTS INCLUDED IN BOOK (listed individually and as bands, in order of appearance)
Harbour Island, Bahamas
Pebble Beach California
Barbara Migdal
Oakland, California
Blue Cheer San Francisco
London, UK
Hyde Park, UK
Mick Jagger
Yoko Ono
John Lennon
Benny Goodman
Frank Zappa
Grace Slick
Stevie Winwood
Leopold Stakowski
Charlie Watts
Keith Richards
The Rolling Stones
Brian Jones
Jean Luc Godard
Jim Morrison
Cream
The Rolling Stones "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
Janis Joplin
The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus
Dirty Mac - Eric Clapton, John Lennon, Keith Richards & Mitch Mitchell
The Beatles - Let It Be
Paul McCartney
Ringo Starr
George Harrison
The Beatles On the Roof
The Rolling Stones 1969 tour
BB King
Chuck Berry
The Who - Who's Next
The Rolling Stones 1972 Tour
Annie Leibovitz
Robert Frank
Terry Southern
Pete Townshend
Roger Daltrey
Carlos Santana
Rita Coolidge
James Taylor
The Eagles
The Who - Quadrophenia
Glyn Johns
Boz Scaggs
Jerry Lee Lewis
Linda Ronstadt
John Hiatt
Phil Everly
Gene Roddenberry
Debbie Boone
Rickie Lee Jones
Chris Cornell
Rosanne Cash
Dave Mason
Greece
Mendocino
* Please note: once the Kickstarter project is complete, we will be contacting you to confirm your choices, when applicable, so stay tuned.
Looking for more information?Check the project
FAQ
A signed REGULAR EDITION of the book. (Value: $135)
Included Items
Signed book.
Personalized thank-you card
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
14 claimed
Ships worldwide.
TWO signed books
$200 USD$270 USD(25% off)
TWO signed copies of ETHAN RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHS - THE MONOGRAPH and hand-signed, personalized thank-you card.
Included Items
Signed book.
(2)
Personalized thank-you card
(2)
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
3 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Book + The Inside Story
$225 USD$290 USD(22% off)
Signed REGULAR EDITION book PLUS "THE INSIDE STORY" (a separate @ 11x14 inch book est. @ 45-60 pages that tells the story behind the photographs, when it was taken, camera, lens, circumstance, etc, all to the extent memory permits.) Plus personalized thank-you card. (Value $290)
Included Items
Signed book.
The Inside Story, book
Personalized thank-you card
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
1 claimed
Ships worldwide.
$455 DELUXE BOOK, 1 print
$455 USD$895 USD(49% off)
Signed, limited Deluxe Book and Clamshell plus ONE signed archival 8x10 print (choose from 5) plus "The Inside Story" plus personalized thank-you card. (Value: $895)
Included Items
Signed deluxe book & clamshell
The Inside Story, book
Personalized thank-you card
Archival 8x10 Print (select)
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
4 claimed
Ships worldwide.
$800 DELUXE BOOK 2 PRINTS
$800 USD$1,305 USD(38% off)
Signed, limited Deluxe Book and Clamshell with TW0 8x10s plus Signed Limited Edition Archival prints plus personalized thank-you card, (Value $1,305)
Included Items
Signed deluxe book & clamshell
"The Inside Story," book.
Personalized thank-you card
Archival 8x10 Print (select)
(2)
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
DELUXE BOOK, 16x20 Sgnd print
$1,150 USD$2,350 USD(51% off)
$1150 16x20 LIMITED EDITION, SIGNED, LIMITED EDITION ARCHIVAL FINE ART PRINT Choose from one of two below. (Reward limit 8 of each).
Included Items
Signed deluxe book & clamshell
"The Inside Story," book.
Personalized thank-you card
16x20 Signed Ltd Edition Print
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
0 out of 16 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
Deluxe Book Mick Jagger
$1,200 USD$2,510 USD(52% off)
Signed, limited Deluxe Book and Clamshell plus Signed Limited Edition Archival 16x20 Print (Mick Jagger "Lips"1972) plus "The Inside Story" plus personalized thank-you card. (Value: $2,510)
Included Items
Signed deluxe book & clamshell
"The Inside Story," book.
Personalized thank-you card
Deluxe Book 16x20 Mick Jagger
Estimated Shipping
December 2019
0 out of 2 of claimed
Keith Richards 16x20 Print
$1,675 USD$2,850 USD(41% off)
16x20 Signed, archival museum quality limited edition print "Keith Richards with Jack and Coors 1972" (One of my favorites)